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ProFTPD is a proven, high-performance, scalable FTP server written from scratch, with a focus toward simplicity, security, and ease of configuration. Naturally, ProFTPD powers some of the largest sites on the Internet. It features a very Apache-like configuration syntax, modules, and a highly customizable server infrastructure, including support for multiple ‘virtual' FTP servers, anonymous FTP, and permission-based directory visibility.

ProFTPD Features

Single main configuration file, with directives and directive groups which are intuitive to any administrator who has ever used the Apache web server.

Per directory ".ftpaccess" configuration similar to Apache's ".htaccess".

Designed to run either as a stand-alone server or from inetd/xinetd, depending on system load.

Anonymous FTP root directories do not require any specific directory structure, system binaries or other system files.

No SITE EXEC command. In modern Internet environments, such commands are a security nightmare. ProFTPD does not execute any external programs at any time. The source is available (and must always be available) for administrators to audit.

Hidden directories and files, based on Unix-style permissions or user/group ownership.

Runs as a configurable non-privileged user in stand-alone mode in order to decrease chances of attacks which might exploit its "root" abilities. Note: This feature is dependent on the capabilities of the host Unix system.

Logging and utmp/wtmp support. Logging is compatible with the wu-ftpd standard, with extended logging available.

Shadow password suite support, including support for expired accounts.

This will start the installation this time it will ask one question you want to run proftp server from inetd or standalone here select standalone and press enter after this installation will be completed.

Configuring ProFTPD Server

By default proftp configuration file is located under /etc i.e /etc/proftpd.conf

We are going to change the basic configuration for proftp server this includes security configuration also.

Now you need to edit the /etc/proftpd.conf file using vi or any other editor and you need to change the following Directives or add the following directives for proftp server configuration these are only some of basic directives if you want to know available directives check here
sudo vi /etc/proftpd.conf

Change the following directives

ServerName — Configure the name displayed to connecting users

ServerName “proftp server”

ServerIdent — Set the message displayed on connect

ServerIdent on “Welcome to proftp server”

UseReverseDNS — Toggle rDNS lookups

UseReverseDNS off

IdentLookups — Toggle ident lookups

IdentLookups off

DefaultRoot — Sets default chroot directory

DefaultRoot ~

RequireValidShell --- Allow connections based on /etc/shells

RequireValidShell off

MaxClients — Limits the number of users that can connect

DenyFilter --- Regular expression of command arguments to be blocked

DenyFilter \*.*/

Maxclients 30

MaxClientsPerHost — Limits the connections per client machine

MaxClientsPerHost 50

After adding these directives you need to restrat your proftpd server to take these changes effect.

sudo /etc/init.d/proftpd restart

Now your Basic server configuration is ready To perform a syntax check of your proftpd.conf file use the following command

sudo proftpd -td5

Proftp Client Installation

If you want to use commnd line ftp client in debian you need to install the ftp package using the following command

Hi, We’ve started using ProFTPD and noticed that the response to a download that the line which states “226 Transfer complete” does not contain the period like many/most FTP programs. The statement from other FTP applications read: “226 Transfer complete.” The missing punctuation mark is causing a client to my ftp server fail to recognize a successful transfer because their software is configured to read only the “226 Transfer complete.” Can anyone provide assistance on how to modify the message on my server? Thanks, Bill

ease of configuration says the description for proftpd, i find it rather difficult to configure. No graphical user interface that is easy to rely to. How to configure new users? and how to manage at make directories for these users?

If you want to access files from different computer you can use samba for this.If you want to upload/download any files mainly ftp you can use ofcourse you can download some files from ftp server to use it

I could not start the service – “ProFTPd warning: cannot start neither in standalone nor in inetd/xinetd mode. Check your configuration.”

This is on a fresh ubuntu server install. that was the first message i saw after installing proftpd. i chose not to check the configuration. removed it. and move along with other ftp service that worked. good bye proftpd! next time greet users with “up and running!”

ineed help please ,
i install proftpd with their accessories , but i can not save changes to proftpd directories in teminal my code:sudo vi /etc/proftpd.conf then teminal ask me for password , but keyboad not writing anything .

Hi, I have installed proftpd many times on 9.10, using this guide to help me out. I just did a clean install with the 10.04 and now when I log in with a ftp client it gets to where it should list the files and then times out. Ive looked everywhere and cant seem to find out how to fix this. Thanks

Did you assign the proper file permissions to the main Ftp Folder (ex: r-read, w-write, x-execute) and or change the group to i think it is called “www-data” or “data-www”? To check what permissions are on what files/folders use the “ls -l” command
Here is an example sudo ls -l /var/www/ftp

drwxrw-rw-…………………ftp

you can use “chmod” to change the user permissions and “chown” to change the group.

O, also make sure there isnt a firewall blocking the port you are using to connect to the ftp server

Hi guys, thanks for this guide…I’ve a question I’m hoping you maybe able to shed some light on. I’m running a fedora build. I’ve installed and configured proftp, and use Webmin to manage it. Whenever I try to connect, the following happens:

I have a similar problem. I want to be able to ftp /www/var/wordpress but I havn’t been able to find any information to help me do this. I am using proftpd also.

I’m fairly new to setting up wordpress on an ubuntu server using commands and I would really appreciate any help anyone could give me on this…I have managed to get this far but I feel I’ve hit a block wall!

If i recall you can create a new user say”wordpress” then set the home directory of the wordpress user to/www/var/wordpress then when you login to the ftp server use the wordpress user and password and it should log you into /www/var/wordpress.